Rabbi Howard Morrison

In this week's Torah portion of B'Shalach, the Children of Israel find themselves at a crossroads. The Egyptian army is pursuing them from one side, and the stormy sea stands in their way from the other side. In the Biblical text, Moses prays to God during which time God responds, "Why are you screaming (praying) to me? Tell the Children of Israel to move forward."

So, who was the first to take a leap of faith and a leap of action to jump into the sea? One might have expected a leader and role model to act first. This is not the case. The Midrash explains that a virtual unknown in the Biblical text named "Nachshon" leaped first. The water rose to the height of his nose. Only then did the waters miraculously split, and the rest of the nation followed.

This Torah lesson instructs us that one not need be a Moses or Miriam to take action first. Anyone, like a Nachshon, can be proactive and be the first to take that particular leap of faith and/or leap of action.

During the month of January, many of us take note of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each is remembered for taking many first steps during his lifetime. Rabbi Heschel often spoke of praying with one's feet, not merely with one's words or intentions.

May each of us find a way to emulate the likes of Nachshon, in leading us away from hate and slavery and entering a path toward freedom and peace.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Howard Morrison